Anyone here after struggling with an RN program?

I am trying to get into an LVN program since I just left a former RN program. MED Surg kicked my you know what pretty bad. I was told that in the clinicals I seemed unsafe and was asked to withdraw. I don't know what specifically I did that was unsafe but they kept referring to bad physical assessment ability and they said I was unsafe. I am not convinced, but I would rather enter a program that is less neurotic than the previous RN program I was enrolled in. What do you folks think of LVN programs and the pace and difficulty? I am not a stupid person, but I hope for something a bit slower paced and more manageable. Do any of you have any advice for me?

Hi laura. i'm a former rn student and current lpn student just started recently going into my second trimester next month. i thought lpn school would be much easier but it's not just like the rn program. i'm more at ease now because i don't have all the issues i was dealing with at the time of rn school. but, nonetheless, it is hard. you're cramming alot of info in just one year. so there is lots of studying and going to classes five days a week for 6.5 hours. some of my rn courses were 8 wks and med-surg were 16 wks.

another thing is that you will have to repeat ALL of your gen. ed courses over in lpn school. this is how it is in my state and some other programs too. i tried to get in as an advanced student and they don't let you do that here. since you are a former nursing student maybe things wont be that difficult for you. you should do well in a lpn program if you get into one.

Good luck to ya!

May 24, '09

Hey, I'm in the same boat. But it wasn't med-surg clinicals that ended my time in the R.N. program, it was the tests!! I studied and studied but I just could not pass the tests. I bought every book under the sun, and practiced my tests taking skills, but none of it helped. My instructor told me that an LPN program might be better for me. Anyway, I applied to some other RN programs and LPN programs. I'm just going to see where I get accepted. Whatever you do don't give up on nursing, if it's what you want to do. Keep pushing and most of all keep praying!! Remember there are different paths to nursing.

May 24, '09

I've never been in an RN program but my LPN program is not easy. I talk to recent LPN grads from other programs and people that have been LPNS for decades and they can not believe the requirements that I have for my course. My program is relatively new and my teacher is an RN BSN MASTERS WHATEVER haaaaa and its a lot like military school. We learn about skills that are not even in our scope of practice. In ways its not needed... but in ways its positive because if we ever do choose to go on we will have a good background. I think its hard to say. I think it depends on the program and the teacher...

May 25, '09

At my CC RN students and LPN students are in the same classes for a whole year. So we are a mixed group of RN and LPN students. After the second semester RN students go on a summer break and prepare for the second year in the fall and the LPN students have to take one more additional course in the summer and then we can sit for our nclex. I've seen " RN" students fail courses and I've seen " LPN" students fail courses. I don't think the LPN is going to be easier however it will be a shorter program. If you are looking for a short and easier program maybe you can try CNA... Nothing about nursing school whether its LPN or RN is easy. I'm expected to know just as much as my RN student classmates. The only difference is that I'm not going on to the second year and they are.

May 25, '09

I was also in the same boat as you in RN school the only thing is I failed the 1st semester. I studied and studied but just couldn't pass! I have always made A's in all my classes and it was so crushing to me. I got out and applied for an LPN program. I'm about to graduate in 2 weeks from the LPN program with the highest GPA in the class. I plan on going straight on for my RN and I am so relieved and ready. I feel really prepared since I now have my LPN. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

I was also in the same boat as you in RN school the only thing is I failed the 1st semester. I studied and studied but just couldn't pass! I have always made A's in all my classes and it was so crushing to me. I got out and applied for an LPN program. I'm about to graduate in 2 weeks from the LPN program with the highest GPA in the class. I plan on going straight on for my RN and I am so relieved and ready. I feel really prepared since I now have my LPN. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Congrats !

May 26, '09

If anything, a PN program will have a faster pace than a RN program. Most are 4-5 days a week and the amount of material covered is insane.

May 26, '09

Well... Let's see, we started with 34 people in my class. We lost 4 half-way through the first semester, then 3 at finals. We gained 5 people that had flunked out of the other intake during second semester, and lost only two people at Semester two finals.

Our program is very cut throat and it loses 1/3 of its class by graduation time, on average. It's a 12 month program, straight through - no summer break.

At my CC RN students and LPN students are in the same classes for a whole year. So we are a mixed group of RN and LPN students. After the second semester RN students go on a summer break and prepare for the second year in the fall and the LPN students have to take one more additional course in the summer and then we can sit for our nclex. I've seen " RN" students fail courses and I've seen " LPN" students fail courses. I don't think the LPN is going to be easier however it will be a shorter program. If you are looking for a short and easier program maybe you can try CNA... Nothing about nursing school whether its LPN or RN is easy. I'm expected to know just as much as my RN student classmates. The only difference is that I'm not going on to the second year and they are.

Your suggestion for her is backwardmy:. I won't suggest such an idea. She worth more than be a CNA. she need to move forward by suggesting LPN.

Your suggestion for her is backwardmy:. I won't suggest such an idea. She worth more than be a CNA. she need to move forward by suggesting LPN.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I do think the OP should continue to pursue her dream as a RN. I'm just saying that in the mean time she can work as a CNA while doing the LPN or RN program. Getting experience in the health care field before becoming a nurse is a step forward. Or atleast it was for me. ANd besides some people have to take a step back before moving forward.